verge
Definitions
The edge, border, or brink of something.
边缘，边界。
The point at which something is about to happen (used in 'on the verge of').
（on the verge of）临界点，濒临……的状态。
To be very close to a state or quality; to border on.
接近，濒临，近乎。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom vergere (to bend, lean, turn). A verge is the point where the ground turns or falls away — an edge or brink. To be 'on the verge of' something is to be leaning right at the tipping point, about to cross over.
Root verg still carries 6 more wordsUsage Guide
The most common form by far is the noun phrase 'on the verge of (doing) something' = about to happen: on the verge of collapse, tears, war. As a verb, 'verge on/upon' means to come close to a quality: it verges on rudeness. Don't confuse with the verb 'merge' (to combine).
Example Sentences
- 1.
She was on the verge of tears during the speech.
- 2.
The company is on the verge of bankruptcy.
- 3.
His remarks verge on the offensive.
- 4.
Wildflowers grew along the grassy verge of the road.
Easily Confused
verge vs edge vs brink: edge is the most general physical border (the edge of the table). brink and verge both mean the point just before something big happens, but brink is stronger and often used for danger (the brink of war), while verge is slightly softer and very common in 'on the verge of.'